AFC Sudbury boss Mark Morsley says he is more excited about this season than any in his managerial career.

The former Leiston and Needham Market frontman returned as first-team manager to King’s Marsh Stadium last season.

With it he introduced more academy players into a Sudbury squad that finished 12th in Bostik North.

It was a transitional year for Morsley and the Yellows, but now he wants to kick on – and he knows where he has his sights set.

“The play-offs is a minimum for us next season,” Morsley said.

“I want us to step up a bit.

“Last season gave me the opportunity to look at our academy players, four of whom were given contracts.

“We will continue to look at our academy players. But I’m mindful that 16 and 17-year-olds can’t play 50 Isthmian Leagues games a season.

“Last season we didn’t know what cover we needed. We do now.”

Morsley has recently been to the States on tour with the Sudbury academy youngsters and admits there were more players who impressed him while he was there.

Meanwhile, Jordan Blackwell has rejoined the club from Stanway, while Callum Harrison has signed a permanent deal after impressing on loan last season.

But he’s under no illusions about the tough league his side is in.

“There are a lot of big teams with some pretty hefty budgets in our league,” Morsley said.

“Sudbury don’t have such a budget. That’s fine with me.

“I’ve had big budgets before with other clubs and the pressure can be on to perform.

“But we do have a lot of good things going for us at the club, including a carpet of a pitch.

“Our model is to get the average playing age into the low 20s, but we know we also need a few experienced heads as well.”

And Morsley admits he can’t wait for the new season to start.

“I’m more excited about this season than any before in my career,” he said.

“I feel rejuvenated.

“This is a different challenge for me, that’s for sure.”